Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting

Contact: Steven Corrigan, Democratic Services Manager 07717 274704 Email: steven.corrigan@southandvale.gov.uk 

Note: This is a virtual meeting, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTj2pCic8vzucpzIaSWE3UQ 

Items
No. Item

135.

Apologies for absence

To record apologies for absence.

Minutes:

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Hallett.

136.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Council minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2020. 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2020 as a correct record and agree that the chair sign them as such.

 

 

137.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

Minutes:

None.

138.

Urgent business and chair's announcements

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chair. 

Minutes:

The chair provided general housekeeping information.

 

She advised she had agreed to take one item of urgent business in respect of a section 106 request from Shrivenham Sports Pavilion.

 

139.

Public participation

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

Minutes:

A.   Richard Bartle, Chair of Shrivenham Parish Council, addressed Council on the Tuckmill Meadow SSSI. He expressed concern regarding the condition of the site which had been handed back to Vale of White Horse District Council in late 2019 from the Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust with a number of recommendations to preserve and enhance the area which, to date, had not been actioned. He stated that the council had a statutory duty to preserve the site and urged the council to halt the decline and return it to its previous condition. He referred to local farmers who would be willing to graze their cattle on the site and volunteers who would be willing to assist with the necessary clearance work.

 

B.   Jane Hanna, Oxfordshire County Councillor for the Grove & Wantage division, addressed Council on Motion C of agenda item 18. She welcomed and was encouraged by the motion to seek ways support the funding of leisure facilities in Grove and Wantage and the surrounding areas to meet the needs of a growing population. Such facilities were needed and would address the well-being of residents.

 

C.   Emma Brookes addressed council on the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill. She stressed the importance of the Bill to address climate change and in support of the main elements of it to oblige the UK government to reduce greenhouse emissions at a rate that would limit global heating to 1.5 degrees C, oblige the government to protect and restore the ecosystems in the UK and to involve the citizens of the UK in a citizens’ assembly to inform decisions on how to achieve those aims. She welcomed the submission of the motion on the Council agenda and hoped it would be adopted.

 

D.   Alderman Joyce Hutchinson asked the following question to Councillor Helen Pighills, Cabinet member for healthy communities

 

1)    When is Vale of White Horse District Council’s new Leisure Strategy to be published?

 

2)    Can you confirm that the S106 and the CIL money reserved for leisure facilities for Wantage and Grove will be spent within walking distance of Wantage and Grove, so that the local community will obtain full use of all facilities?

 

In response Councillor Helen Pighills stated that the council’s Corporate Plan committed the council to work with partners on the production of a leisure strategy. It was hoped this would be available by the end of March but was dependent on the availability of staff resources which had been assisting with the council’s response to the Covid pandemic.

 

She confirmed that S106 funds previously allocated to the Wessex Leisure Centre project were being reviewed to determine how they could be re-allocated to alternative projects in the areas which generated the funds and what projects could be funded. She confirmed that there was no CIL money available for leisure projects in Grove and Wantage.

 

Whilst the council could not commit to ensure the leisure facilities would be in walking distance, the council was committed to ensure the funds would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.

140.

Petitions

To receive any petitions from the public. 

Minutes:

No petitions were submitted to Council.

141.

Urgent item - S106 Request - Shrivenham Sports Pavilion

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendation, made at its meeting on 5 February 2021, in respect of a request by Shrivenham Parish Council for section 106 funding towards a new sports pavilion in the village.

 

Cabinet agreed to support the project and recommend that Council create the budget to fund it.

 

RESOLVED: to

 

1.    approve funding to Shrivenham Parish Council on behalf of Viscountess Barrington Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground Trust in its capacity as the sole trustee of the Trust towards a new sports pavilion to be erected by the Trust on the Recreation Ground owned by the Trust and to create a budget of £378,537.80;

 

2.    authorise the interim head of development and regeneration in consultation with the head of legal and democratic to:

·         agree a funding agreement with Shrivenham Parish Council in its capacity as the sole trustee of the Trust to govern the terms of use of the S106 funding; the instalments in which the funding is paid; the timing of instalments; the conditions subject to which instalments are paid and to otherwise protect the interests of Vale of White Horse District  Council as the provider of the funding;

·         include Shrivenham Parish Council as a party to the funding agreement in its own right where necessary or desirable to facilitate the carrying out and completion of the new sports pavilion project by the Trust;

·      approve the payment to Shrivenham Parish Council of £361,423.96 towards the new sports pavilion project subject to and in accordance with the funding agreement; and

·      approve the payment to Shrivenham Parish Council of the portion of £17,113.84 recovered (minus legal costs) on completion of a Deed of Variation to repurpose a Changing Rooms Contribution received under Agreement 16V52 subject to and in accordance with the terms of the funding agreement;

 

3.    approve the payment of instalments three and four of the Sports and Leisure Contribution (Shrivenham recreation ground pavilion) as defined in clause 1.1.33 of S106 Agreement 16V30 and the Cricket Facilities Contribution, as defined in clause one of the Second Schedule of S106 Agreement 17V14 to the Shrivenham Sports Pavilion project:

·      to Shrivenham Parish Council when received by the council subject to and in accordance with the funding agreement to whichever value is the lower of the amount received by the council and the value of forward funding that Shrivenham Parish Council has not recovered by any other means;

·      to Shrivenham Parish Council subject to and in accordance with the funding agreement, on creation of a budget to the value stated above, with no requirement for a further S106 Application, report and decision.

 

 

142.

Treasury management and investment strategy 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 395 KB

Cabinet, at its meeting on 5 February 2021, will consider a report on the council’s treasury management and investment strategy for 2021/22.

 

The Joint Audit and Governance Committee considered the report at its meeting on 26 January 2021 and had not recommended any adjustments to the strategy. 

 

The committee resolved to recommend Cabinet to approve the treasury management strategy, the prudential indicators and limits for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and the annual investment strategy 2021/22 as set out in the report.

 

The report of the interim head of finance, which Cabinet will consider on 5 February 2021, isattached.

 

The recommendations of Cabinet will be circulated to all councillors following the Cabinet meeting.

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendation, made at its meeting on 5 February 2021, on the council’s treasury management and investment strategy for 2021/22.

 

The Joint Audit and Governance Committee had considered the report at its meeting on 26 January 2021 and had not recommended any adjustments to the strategy and resolved to recommend Cabinet to approve the treasury management strategy, the prudential indicators and limits for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and the annual investment strategy 2021/22 as set out in the report. Cabinet agreed to recommend Council approve the strategy. 

 

In introducing Cabinet’s recommendations, the Cabinet member for finance reported that there were no significant changes to the strategy.  However, the report did reflect a significant fall in projections of investment income due to low interest rates that are likely to prevail for some time. As capacity permits, the council would be looking to progress a more proactive treasury management strategy during the coming year to address the budget shortfall.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

1.    approve the treasury management strategy 2021/22, as set out in appendix A to the interim head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 5 February 2021;

2.    approve the prudential indicators and limits for 2021/22 to 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to that report; and

3.    approve the annual investment strategy 2021/22 set out in appendix A,and the lending criteria detailed in table 6 to that report.

 

143.

Capital strategy 2021/22 to 2030/31 pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Cabinet, at its meeting on 5 February 2021, will consider a report on the capital strategy for 2021/22 to 2030/31.   

 

The report of the interim head of finance, which Cabinet will consider on 5 February 2021, isattached.

 

The recommendations of Cabinet will be circulated to all councillors following the Cabinet meeting.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendation, made at its meeting on 5 February 2021, on the council’s capital strategy for 2021/22 to 2030/31.

 

The Cabinet member for finance highlighted that this year’s strategy included within it a strategy for the flexible use of capital receipts to fund transformation activity as agreed in last year’s budget. Depending on progress in developing this, the capital strategy may require review during the year.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

1.    approve the capital strategy 2021/22 to 2030/31, contained in appendix one of the interim head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 5 February 2021; and

2.    agree the strategy for flexible use of capital receipts, contained as appendix 1 of the capital strategy. 

 

144.

Revenue budget 2021/22 and capital programme to 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Cabinet, at its meeting on 5 February 2021, will consider a report on the draft revenue budget 2021/22, and the capital programme to 2025/26.

 

The report of the interim head of finance, which Cabinet will consider on 5 February 2021, will be circulated to all councillors.  

 

The recommendations of Cabinet will be circulated to all councillors following the Cabinet meeting.

 

The Scrutiny Committee will consider this report at its meeting on 8 February 2021. Any views will be reported to Council.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The chair referred to regulations that require councils to record the names of those councillors voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the budget, including amendments, and the council tax. In accordance with the regulations she would call for a named vote on each of these matters at this meeting.

 

The chair reminded councillors that they were not entitled to vote on any issue affecting the level or administration of the council tax or other decisions which might affect the making of any such calculation such as the budget, if they were over two months in arrears with their council tax payments. Where such circumstances applied, councillors were under a statutory obligation to disclose the restriction placed on them and refrain from voting at the relevant meeting. No councillor made any such declaration.

 

Council noted the report of the chief finance officer on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves.

 

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations, made at its meeting held on 5 February 2021 on the revenue budget for 2021/22 and the capital programme to 2025/26. Scrutiny Committee had considered the report of the interim head of finance on 8 February and had made no recommendations. 

 

Councillor Crawford, Cabinet member for finance, presented Cabinet’s proposals for the revenue budget and capital programme. He moved and Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council, seconded a motion to approve Cabinet’s recommendations as follows:

 

1.    to set the revenue budget for 2021/22, as set out in appendix A.1 to the interim head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 5 February 2021;

2.    to approve the capital programme for 2021/22 to 2025/26 as set out in appendix D.1 to that report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in appendix D.2 to that report;

3.    to set the council’s prudential limits, as listed in appendix E to that report;

4.    to approve the medium-term financial plan to 2025/26, as set out in appendix F to that report.

 

In introducing the budget the Cabinet member highlighted that the budget would result in an increase in council tax of £5 for a Band D property for 2021/22 - the maximum increase allowed under the draft referendum rules outlined in the government’s provisional settlement. 

 

Coronavirus had played a central part in the budget and the council was likely to continue to see additional costs and income losses in the new financial year.  The figures included in the budget for these were estimates only, as no-one could predict the future course of the pandemic.   The government had provided support for some, but not all, council losses. The council was likely to achieve lower investment income for some time to come.

 

The prioritisation of staff resources had meant that, in this budget, Cabinet had not been able to bring forward additional budget proposals to support priorities in the new corporate plan.  However, officers have identified where existing budgets could fund corporate plan delivery activity.  Deliverability of those activities would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

145.

Council tax 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 444 KB

To consider the report of the interim head of finance on the setting of the council tax for the 2021/22 financial year - report to follow.

 

Minutes:

Council considered the report of the interim head of finance on the setting of the Council Tax for the 2021/22 financial year.

 

In accordance with regulations requiring councils to record the names of those councillors voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the council tax the chair called for a recorded vote which was carried with the voting being as follows:

 

For

Against

Abstentions

Councillors

Councillors

Councillors

Jerry Avery

Matthew Barber

 

 

Paul Barrow

 

 

Ron Batstone

 

Eric Batts

 

 

Samantha Bowring

 

 

Nathan Boyd

 

 

Cheryl Briggs

 

 

Andy Cooke

 

 

Andrew Crawford

 

Margaret Crick

 

 

Eric de la Harpe

 

 

Amos Duveen

 

 

Neil Fawcett

 

 

Andy Foulsham

 

 

Hayleigh Gascoigne

 

 

David Grant

 

 

Jenny Hannaby

 

 

Simon Howell

 

 

Alison Jenner

 

Bob Johnston

 

Diana Lugova

 

 

Robert Maddison

 

Sarah Medley

 

Patrick O’Leary

 

 

Helen Pighills

 

Mike Pighills

 

 

Judy Roberts

 

 

Val Shaw

 

 

Janet Shelley

 

 

Emily Smith

 

Bethia Thomas

 

 

Max Thompson

 

 

Elaine Ware

 

 

Catherine Webber

 

 

Richard Webber

 

 

Total: 36

Total: 0

Total: 0

RESOLVED:

1.    To note that at its meeting on 9 December 2020 the council calculated the council tax base 2021/22:

(a)    for the whole council area as 53,919.1 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

 (b)   for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a parish precept relates as in column 1 of appendix 1.

2.    That the council tax requirement for the council’s own purposes for 2021/22 (excluding parish precepts) is £7,639,797

3.    That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2021/22 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

(a)    £79,262,477 being the aggregate of the amounts which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish councils.

(b)    £67,166,194 being the aggregate of the amounts which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c)    £12,096,283 being the amount by which the aggregate at (3)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (3)(b) above, calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its council tax requirement for the

Band A

£774.47

Band B

£903.55

Band C

£1,032.63

Band D

£1,161.71

Band E

£1,419.87

Band F

£1,678.03

Band G

£1,936.18

Band H

£2,323.42

 

 
year.  (Item R in the formula in Section 31B) of the Act).

(d)    £224.34 being the amount at (3)(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 31(B) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year (including parish precepts).

(e)    £4,456,486 being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act, as set out in column 2 of appendix 1.

(f)     £141.69 being the amount at (3)(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (3)(e) above by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

146.

Review of Joint Statement of Licensing Policy pdf icon PDF 92 KB

At its meeting on 28 January 2021, the Licensing Acts Committee considered the report of the Head of Housing and Environment. This proposed a statement of licensing policy, jointly developed with South Oxfordshire District Council. A copy of the report of the Head of Housing and Environment considered by the Licensing Acts Committee and the draft policy agreed for recommendation to Council is attached.

 

Recommendations to Council: to

1.    authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor editorial changes to the Joint Statement of Licensing Policy, and

2.    adopt the proposed Joint Statement of Licensing Policy with effect from 12 February 2021.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered the recommendations of the Licensing Acts Committee, made at its meeting on 28 January 2021, on a proposed a statement of licensing policy, jointly developed with South Oxfordshire District Council. 

 

Councillor Jenner, Chair of the Licensing Acts Committee introduced the recommendations. She explained that under the Licensing Act 2003 there is statutory duty to review the statement of licensing policy every five years, and a draft policy is the response to this review.  The amendments to the current policy set out in Appendix B, show that no significant changes have been proposed.  The amendments align the policy with current guidance and clarify requirements for applicants and licence holders.  In addition, the format of the policy has been amended to separate out different types of applications to assist applicants when reading the policy.  No suggested amendments were proposed that would place additional burdens or restrictions on licence holders or applicants.

 

A public consultation took place from 23 November to 17 December 2020 and included consultation with the responsible authorities under the Licensing Actas well as our neighbouring authorities, district councillors, local town and parish councils and the relevant trade organisations.  Whilst only a small number of responses were received, these have been incorporated into the draft policy at appendix C.

 

RESOLVED: to

1.   authorise the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor editorial changes to the Joint Statement of Licensing Policy, and

2.   adopt the proposed Joint Statement of Licensing Policy with effect from 12 February 2021.

 

147.

Pay policy statement 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 101 KB

To consider the report of the head of corporate services on the adoption of a pay policy statement to meet the requirements of the Localism Act - report attached.

 

Minutes:

Council considered the report of the interim head of corporate services on the adoption of a pay policy statement to meet the requirements of the Localism Act.

 

RESOLVED: to approve the pay policy statement for 2021/22 attached to the report of the interim head of corporate services to Council on 10 February 2021.

 

148.

Councillors' allowances scheme pdf icon PDF 101 KB

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic, and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel, on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme to run from 1 April 2021 - attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered the report of the head of legal and democratic and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme to run from 1 April 2021. 

 

Councillor Smith moved and Councillor Thompson seconded the following motion:

 

That Council:

 

1.    thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

 

  1. retains for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries;

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020;

  1. defers consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

Councillor Howell moved and Councillor Boyd seconded the following amendment – deleted words shown by strikethrough and additional words shown in bold.

That Council:

 

  1. thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

 

2.    retains for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries; 

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020; 

 

3.    defers consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

  

Those who supported the amendment expressed the view that a back dated allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) was inappropriate for the level of responsibility and the number of committee meetings held. However, other councillors expressed the view that the Chair of CEAC had undertaken a responsible role during the past year which should be recognised.

 

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared lost.

 

The majority of councillors supported the continuation of the current scheme of allowances and deferral of consideration of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel’s report and recommendations until later in the year and ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

 

On being put to the vote the original motion was declared carried.

 

RESOLVED: to

 

1.    thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

 

2.    retain for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries;

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

149.

Progress on approved council motions pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To note progress on the approved Council motions – attached.

 

Minutes:

Council received and noted a progress report on motions approved by Council since May 2019.

 

150.

Update on Oxfordshire Growth Board pdf icon PDF 15 KB

To receive an update on the Oxfordshire Growth Board from Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet member for strategic partnerships and place.

 

Minutes:

Council received a written update report on the Oxfordshire Growth Board from Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet member for strategic partnerships and place.

 

In response to a question regarding what the Oxfordshire Growth Board could do to action the delivery of low carbon affordable homes in Oxfordshire, Councillor Fawcett responded that the webinar, held by the Growth Board, was part of a process to achieve some developments being delivered on a zero carbon basis. It provided an opportunity for the Oxfordshire councils collectively to meet with developers to see how zero carbon houses could be progressed and an opportunity to provide those companies who attended with the confidence that there is a market for such houses.    

151.

Report of the leader of the council

1.    To receive the report of the leader of the council.

 

2.    Urgent cabinet decisions

 

In accordance with the Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules, a Cabinet or Cabinet member decision can be taken as a matter of urgency, if any delay by the call in process would seriously prejudice the council’s or the public’s interest or that the decision cannot reasonably be deferred.  Treating the decision as a matter of urgency must be agreed by the chair of the Scrutiny Committee and must be reported to Council, together with the reasons for urgency.

 

Council is requested to note the details of the following urgent decision.

 

 

Additional Restrictions Grant – Round 2

 

On 20 January 2021, Councillor Bethia Thomas, Cabinet member for Community Engagement, took a decision to approve the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme Round 2  and authorise the interim head of development and regeneration, in consultation with the interim Head of Finance to award grants.

 

The chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call in to allow the grants to be awarded immediately and during the national lockdown period of 5 January to 15 February 2021.

           

Minutes:

Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council, provided an update on a number of matters. The text of her address is available on the council’s website.

 

Council noted the details of an urgent decision taken by Councillor Bethia Thomas, Cabinet member for community engagement, to approve Vale of White Horse District Council’s Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme – Round 2.

 

 

152.

Questions on notice pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To receive questions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 33. 

  1. Question from Councillor Eric Batts to Councillor Catherine Webber, Cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Environment.

Whilst I am sure the cabinet member for Climate Emergency and the Environment will agree with me that the suspension of the garden collection service beyond the usual Christmas period due to staff sickness has been very unfortunate, we wish all the Biffa staff a speedy recovery.  However, this a significant inconvenience to the residents of the Vale who avail themselves and may I add, pay for this service.  Could the Cabinet member please advise how many households pay for this service and are impacted by the suspension, and what the income from this service has been for the first three quarters of the current financial year?

  1. Question from Councillor Nathan Boyd to Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council

We note with interest the flurry of letter writing to government and various local bodies to try and influence policies and represent our residents.  With the push for transparency and the Corporate Plan focus on this matter, could the Leader please check and confirm by listing out these letters over the last three months to ensure that we have been made aware of all letters of influence and requests that have been sent by this administration either as Leader, Deputy Leader of by our Chief Executive on behalf of the Council that we should be aware of, and any responses received?

3.    Question from Councillor Matthew Barber to Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council

 

Given the recent press coverage of the proposed merger of the Vale of White Horse with South Oxfordshire district councils, can the Leader confirm whether she supports such a move and if so how she considers such a merger would improve the financial position of the councils in Southern Oxfordshire?"

 

4.    Question from Councillor Andy Foulsham, to Councillor Helen Pighills, Cabinet member for Healthy Communities


Following the governments’ mishandling of Free School Meals for children over Christmas, and then the national coverage of poor-quality Free Schools Meals being provided during lockdown, our communities, town and parish councils have responded generously. But what is being done by this council to ensure children and their families in the Vale of White Horse have enough food as the Covid pandemic continues?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.    Question from Councillor David Grant to Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Development and Infrastructure

As a councillor in the Western Vale, I am aware of the consequences of the promises made by the previous administration to allocate S106 monies to the now defunct Wessex Leisure Centre Scheme. Funds that were generated from major developments in Faringdon, Great Coxwell, and other areas close by, were directed to help construct a facility in Grove that our residents would never realistically use.

Now we know there was never enough money to build the grandiose £18.8 million Wessex Leisure Centre at Grove proposed by the previous administration, what reassurance can  ...  view the full agenda text for item 152.

Minutes:

  1. Question from Councillor Eric Batts to Councillor Catherine Webber, Cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Environment.

Whilst I am sure the cabinet member for Climate Emergency and the Environment will agree with me that the suspension of the garden collection service beyond the usual Christmas period due to staff sickness has been very unfortunate, we wish all the Biffa staff a speedy recovery.  However, this a significant inconvenience to the residents of the Vale who avail themselves and may I add, pay for this service.  Could the Cabinet member please advise how many households pay for this service and are impacted by the suspension, and what the income from this service has been for the first three quarters of the current financial year?

ANSWER

25,050 Vale households are signed up for the garden waste service and the income for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020 equated to £1,153,406.

The decision to delay the restart of the garden waste collection service after the usual Christmas break was taken as a result of some staff sickness due to Covid-19 and others having to self-isolate.  This allows the remaining staff to work on the core household waste services (food, recycling and rubbish).

Officers are working closely with Biffa and review the staffing levels weekly, last week there where 29 staff self-isolating and therefore they were not able to restart the service. 

Households who choose to pay for the garden waste services are entitled to 20 collections a year.  We are normally able to offer more collections than this with our extra-large garden waste collections in the Spring and Autumn, and don’t envisage this year being any different, so nobody should be out of pocket.

I realise that this may cause inconvenience and we are genuinely sorry for this. However, the safety of our crews and residents must always be our number one priority.

In addition to her written response, Councillor Catherine Webber stated that the garden collection service will resume on 15 February 2021.

Supplementary question and answer

 

In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Catherine Webber responded that Christmas Trees and outstanding green waste will be collected in the next cycle commencing 15 February. She confirmed that households purchased 20 collections per year but received in excess of this number.

 

  1. Question from Councillor Nathan Boyd to Councillor Emily Smith, Leader of the council

We note with interest the flurry of letter writing to government and various local bodies to try and influence policies and represent our residents.  With the push for transparency and the Corporate Plan focus on this matter, could the Leader please check and confirm by listing out these letters over the last three months to ensure that we have been made aware of all letters of influence and requests that have been sent by this administration either as Leader, Deputy Leader of by our Chief Executive on behalf of the Council that we should be aware of, and any responses received?

 

ANSWER

 

We have created a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152.

153.

Motions on notice

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 38. 

A.   Motion proposed by Councillor Nathan Boyd, seconded by Councillor Elaine Ware.

This Council notes:

1. The recent endorsement of the "Twenty is Plenty" campaign by Oxfordshire County Council in its role as Highways Authority which means all new residential roads will have a 20 mph speed limit.

2. The evidence that introduction of 20mph limits even without formal enforcement results in much safer speed profiles and this is particularly beneficial in the vicinity of schools, community hubs and care facilities.

 

This Council believes that as the Local Planning Authority we could look to facilitate the campaign by designing in a 20 Mph speed limit policy for new developments via the emerging local plan.

 

The Council further believes that there may be a role for a "best practice guide" and case studies for parish Councils to help them facilitate 20mph limits where there is local demand.

 

Council requests officers to prepare a report for the Scrutiny Committee on the practical implications.

B.   Motion to be proposed by Councillor Paul Barrow, seconded by Councillor Richard Webber

The flooding in Oxfordshire over Christmas served as yet another reminder of the importance of flood defences and effective road-side drainage as climate change makes flood events more common and more extreme. As well as planning policy needed to take increasing flood risk seriously, it is vital that the Environment Agency are properly funded to help them protect communities and the local economy from the devastating impact of flooding.

Council notes:

-          The excellent partnership work between this council, the Environment Agency and other partners on the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme which will protect South Hinksey, Kennington and North Hinksey as well as Oxford City once built.

-          There is a Flood Alleviation Scheme designed to protect parts of Abingdon around the River Ock that the Environment Agency believe will protect the Town. This scheme is unfunded.

-          That the likelihood and severity of flooding on the scale of what Abingdon experienced in 2007 and South Hinksey experienced in 2014 is increasingly likely.

-          The impact of flooding on our communities can be devastating – for residents personally affected, financially in the damage caused to property, and the impact on our electricity and transport infrastructure which has a knock-on impact for businesses and the local economy.

-          The financial constraints that limit infrastructure maintenance by Oxfordshire County Council, such as clearing gullies once every three years and adopting a reactive approach to flooding.

Council asks the Leader to:

-          Write to the Secretary of State for DEFRA and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury asking for the Environment Agency funding for flood alleviation schemes to be increased significantly and for the Abingdon Flood Alleviation Scheme specifically to be funded as part of the government’s next budget round.

-          Continue to work through our partnerships, such as the Growth Board and OxLEP, to highlight the importance of flood alleviation in our district  ...  view the full agenda text for item 153.

Minutes:

 

Prior to consideration of this item, and prior to the expiry of two and a half hours, Council agreed, in accordance with council procedure rule 12, to extend the meeting by half an hour.

A.   Councillor Nathan Boyd moved, and Councillor Elaine Ware seconded the motion as set out in the agenda at agenda item 18.

Amendment

 

Councillor Neil Fawcett moved and Councillor Bob Johnston seconded an amendment with additional words in bold and deleted words shown by a strikethrough

 

“This Council notes:

 

1. The recent endorsement of the "Twenty is Plenty" campaign by Oxfordshire County Council in its role as Highways Authority which means all new residential roads will should have a 20 mph speed limit.

 

2. The evidence that introduction of 20mph limits even without formal enforcement results in much safer speed profiles and this is particularly beneficial in the vicinity of schools, community hubs and care facilities.

 

This Council believes that as the Local Planning Authority we could look to facilitate the campaign by designing in a 20 mph speed limit policy for new developments via the emerging next Local Plan.

 

The Council further believes that there may be a role for a "best practice guide" and case studies for parish Councils to help them facilitate 20mph limits where there is local demand.

 

Council asks the Leader to write to the County Council in support of swift implementation of the “Twenty is Plenty” campaign, asking the County Council to provide a “best practice guide” to help facilitate 20mph limits where there is local demand, asking that County Council officers promote 20mph limits in discussions with developers, that County Council officers base their responses to planning applications on this policy and asking for any further advice or guidance the County Council can provide to the Vale in how it can help support the implementation of this policy.

Council requests officers to prepare a report for the Scrutiny Committee on the practical implications.

Council would welcome any request by Scrutiny Committee to invite the County Council to discuss how this initiative is being implemented”.

 

With the agreement of Council, the mover and seconder of the original motion accepted the amendment.

 

After debate and on being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That Council notes;

1. The recent endorsement of the "Twenty is Plenty" campaign by Oxfordshire County Council in its role as Highways Authority which means all new residential roads should have a 20 mph speed limit.

 

2. The evidence that introduction of 20mph limits even without formal enforcement results in much safer speed profiles and this is particularly beneficial in the vicinity of schools, community hubs and care facilities.

 

This Council believes that as the Local Planning Authority we could look to facilitate the campaign by designing in a 20 mph speed limit policy for new developments via the next Local Plan.

 

The Council further believes that there may be a role for a "best practice guide" and case studies for parish Councils to help  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

154.

Revenue budget 2021/22 and capital programme to 2025/26

The confidential appendix A 6 to the revenue budget 2021/22 item (agenda item 9) will be circulated to all councillors.

 

Minutes:

Council noted the confidential appendix A6 to the interim head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 5 February 2021.

 

 

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